Table of contents for February - March 2017 in Facility Management

As our first issue of FM for 2017 went to print, the Federal Government outlined an ambitious plan for ‘contactless’ immigration processing at Australia’s airports with an introductory program likely to be rolled out in Canberra later this year. Biometric sensors will scan our irises as we walk under a gantry, making the journey from bag drop to boarding as seamless as possible. While it seems like the stuff of science fiction, it’s all too real and coming to a facility near you. This issue focuses on technology and data – and the benefits for the legions of people who use our major office buildings, shopping centres, airports and health facilities. Like the airport sensors that will allow you a streamlined experience through immigration screening, we’ll see the buildings of…

Elevator World Inc has recognised Schindler Lifts Australia for its work on the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) project as the world’s premier elevator installation at the publication’s 2017 industry awards. The VCCC is a purposebuilt centre-of-excellence for cancer research, treatment, education and care located in Melbourne’s prestigious Parkville Biomedical Precinct. It was designed to deliver maximum functional area with a blend of clinical, administrative and research facilities. “The VCCC is a great example of where we have been able to incorporate the best of our innovations to provide a unique solution for the customer”, says Schindler Australia managing director, Rob Seakins. “PORT Technology coupled with our S7000 and S5500 products has created a unique user experience in a hospital type environment. The cooperation between Schindler and Plenary Health, the…

With the rise in online shopping and ease of parcel shipping, it’s no surprise, the way that post is now handled has experienced signifi cant change within organisations. They are left to cater to a wide and diverse group of internal customers, drive productivity and contend with any number of logistical challenges, from resource shortages, lost mail/ packages to inventory diffi culties. Improving the speed and effi ciency of how mail is handled often comes down to a matter of management, and how well those managers are responding to their particular business challenges. When a staff member has either ordered a package or is sending one out, they expect it to be delivered on time. This, of course, applies to most organisations, but timely delivery can be especially critical for…

Any facility manager serious about a sustainable future, employee health and well-being and low business costs should have an improved HVAC (heating, ventilation and airconditioning) system at the top of their 2017 new year’s resolution list. Recent advancements in how we process and analyse big data allowed building managers to achieve improvements in plant and equipment efficiency by providing them with greater insight and intelligence over existing systems. When you consider that buildings account for up to 40 percent of energy use in most countries and that HVAC) contributes up to 50 percent of a building’s total power usage, the opportunity from a sustainability perspective is clear. Beyond the environmental benefits of improved equipment effi ciency, there is a range of additional benefi ts to be gained from the use…

Building giant Multiplex has delivered a two-year major redevelopment project at 161 Sussex Street in Sydney, home to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The former Four Points by Sheraton Sydney was rebranded earlier this year; Multiplex was appointed to refurbish the existing building, plus construct a new convention centre and an additional 25-storey tower, adding 222 guest rooms to what has been claimed as Australia's largest hotel. The facility now has a total of 892 rooms and the tower also houses 10 levels of commercial office space. A signifi cant amount of construction took place over the top of the Western Distributor – one of Sydney's major feeder roads from the city to the Harbour Bridge – but caused minimal disruption to the 80,000 vehicles using the road daily and the…

Cheryl Andrews had a peripatetic start to life; born in Penang to an air force family, she spent her early years shuttling between various bases in Sydney, Melbourne and Malaysia. “I was a typical RAAF brat,” she laughs. “And, at the time, I remember relocating [was] very hard; however, I couldn’t be more grateful now to have been exposed to that experience. It has taught me a lot about the need to adapt to diff erent people and environments.” Andrews is the operations manager for Melbourne Facilities Management (MFM) and Asian Pacifi c Car Parking (APCP), part of the Asian Pacifi c Group, a highly successful property development company that has been in existence for over 150 years. She leads the MFM and APCP teams looking after several mixed use…

Even when a door closer is set at the lowest spring strength recommended for a fi re door, traditional doors in aged care facilities are often too diffi cult for elderly residents to use. Arthritic or other debilitating conditions mean that assistance is often needed for such basic tasks as simply opening the door. The answer is a door closer well-designed and manufactured to exacting standards, and tested and approved on fi re doors in accordance with Australian Standards. A door fi tted with a door closer must be hung on good quality, aligned hinges so that it swings freely and without bias. Traditionally, rack and pinion technology has been utilised, but there is now a unique application on the market that goes one step further. The only solution of…

Take a moment to visualise just how your everyday life would be impacted without a modern plumbing system; when it comes to advancements in plumbing technology, we are very lucky compared to numerous locations around the world, where access to clean, running water is not so readily available. Have you ever stopped to realise where we would all be without running water or fl ushing toilets? Unfortunately, being provided with a copious supply of clean hot and cold water on demand is indeed a luxury, which many end users expect as matter of course – until there is an issue due to a plant system failure, resulting in the facilities being out of action and numerous complaints. There’s nothing like starting the day with a cold shower to dampen your…

As a facilities manager, being able to seamlessly work together with teams and other business units is critically important for you to deliver an effective service. But it’s not always easy. Despite humans having an inherent need to work with others, the stark reality is that many workplace teams deteriorate into a group of people working independently, refusing to share important information or even ideas. Our competitive drive and selfi sh need for survival often unwittingly sabotages our efforts. Whether you love them or loathe them, teams are here stay. According to the CEB Corporate Leadership Council, engaged teams grow profits three times faster than disengaged ones. Given how important teamwork is for organisational success, what can you do to improve how well your team performs? THANK YOU DR GOOGLE…

Bitter experience has shown that tenants can benefit by having a better understanding of landlord personality types – preferably before the lease is signed. As with all other commercial and social engagements, values, attitudes and service delivery approaches of owner investors in commercial property can vary signifi cantly. These variations change the dynamics in the ongoing responses and commercial dealings that tenants have with their landlords and managing agents, in both existing and new leasing arrangements. Here is a brief overview of five landlord personalities that are frequently encountered in the commercial property market. But tenants need to be also aware that some landlords may have symptoms of dissociative identity disorder, displaying traits across a number of personality types. Other fringe landlord personality types may also prevail. ARROGANT BULLIES These…

DEFINITIONS BUILDING AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Web-based maintenance management applications. COMPUTERISED MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (CMMS) Used to monitor equipment performance and enhance the efficiency of maintenance operations. DATA COLLECTION AND LIFE CYCLE PLANNING SOFTWARE Collection and life cycle planning software used to build comprehensive data for asset portfolios for building managers and owners. ENTERPRISE ASSET MANAGEMENT (EAM) SYSTEM Enables holistic control and optimisation of enterprise assets. INTEGRATED WORKPLACE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (IWMS) Support for the tactical tools in computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) solutions and strategic planning. JOB MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Software products that help companies manage off-site workers and the resources they require to do their jobs efficiently. PROCUREMENT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS Automation of the processes of purchasing materials and goods inventory maintenance. BUILDING AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS KONEX AUTOMATION Advances in Building…

With the importance of quality hydration long acknowledged and accepted, most facility managers already understand the advantages of having instant fi ltered drinking water systems installed in their premises. What they may not be so aware of, however, is that, as with any piece of equipment or technology, regular service and fi lter cartridge replacements are required to ensure that the system is always working at optimal levels, providing quality water and faultless ongoing performance. It makes sense. Facility managers expect their appliances to work and work without fail. They don’t need the distraction or inconvenience of appliance failure. In some industries, of course, this actually can be more than an inconvenience. In the healthcare industry, for example, a working instant fi ltered water system can be critical for the…

In September 2016 a remarkably quickthinking clinician in a South Australian hospital saved the life of a premature baby by using a manual ventilator to resume the baby’s oxygen supply. That supply was disrupted when widespread power outages plunged South Australia into darkness, forcing the hospital’s back-up generators to power essential medical services, such as intensive care units and maternity wards. Naturally, the back-up generator was being used, but a fuel pump powering it failed and some parts of the hospital then had to go to plan C – back-up battery power. Luckily for that baby and its family that vigilant staff member was on hand to save the day. While it was an unfortunate and exceptional event beyond the norm, the reality is that current statistics on the climate…

With advances in structural monitoring technology, it is now possible to identify early warning signs of structural damage or weakness in real-time. Dynamic structural monitoring technology known as STRAAM (Structural Risk Assessment and Management) collects data on how a building moves, which can be used to initiate repairs or renovations sooner, limit the risk of further damage, better manage occupant safety and support possible litigation. It works by monitoring the tiny vibrations in a building, or its ‘heartbeat’, to create a unique dynamic signature. Like an electrocardiograph, which shows how the human heart beats and performs, a building’s structural-cardiogram or dynamic signature illustrates the almost imperceptible vibrations that happen every day. These movements occur in all structures and are normal. Even as monolithic structures look immovable, they are constantly vibrating…

Marcus leaned back in his chair and reviewed his progress with his client Harry Scott, his advice given, actions taken and outcomes reported. Harry had solved a burning issue for his client, was learning his client’s business and how to better support them, had made allies in the company for his cause and was starting to explore opportunities to create additional revenue for his own boss. Marcus was doing well. He smiled. “Not a bad return Harry for a lunch.” He wondered how his fee proposal to continue his consultancy with Harry was progressing. He made a mental note to check. His mobile buzzed. “Good morning, Marcus Neary.” It was Harry’s boss, Alan Heath. “I’m well, thank you for asking… sure, how about tomorrow, say two pm? Good, I’ll see…